How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Malaysia? 2026 Guide
Retiling alone starts at RM5,000. A full bathroom renovation typically runs RM12,000 to RM22,000. Here is the cost broken down by scope.
Published August 19, 20262 min read
In this article
The bathroom is the smallest room in the house but has the highest cost per square foot. The reason is simple: every square foot involves waterproofing, plumbing and tiling at once. This article breaks that cost down so you know what you are paying for.
Cost by scope of work
The biggest difference is whether you strip the existing tiles back to the concrete slab or simply overlay them. Stripping fully allows new waterproofing, which is why it costs more.
A typical bathroom in a Malaysian terrace house is around 35 to 50 square feet.
| Scope | Cost range | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Retiling only | RM5,000 – RM8,000 | Overlay, no new waterproofing |
| Full renovation | RM12,000 – RM18,000 | Hacking, waterproofing, tiling, sanitary |
| Premium renovation | RM20,000 and up | Large-format tile, shower screen, custom vanity |
Waterproofing — the item most often skipped
Waterproofing should cost RM12 to RM20 per square foot including screeding and a water test. For a 40 square foot bathroom that is around RM500 to RM800.
If your full-renovation quotation does not mention waterproofing at all, that is not a saving — it is work being skipped. Ask for a 24-hour water test before tiles go down.
Sanitary ware and plumbing
Sanitary ware is usually bought separately and that is reasonable. What you need to check is the installation cost and the plumbing work.
- Install a WC — RM120 to RM200 per unit
- Install a basin with vanity — RM150 to RM280
- Relocate a pipe point — RM180 to RM280 per point
- Install a glass shower screen — RM800 to RM1,800 depending on size
- Water heater including its electrical point — RM250 to RM450
Hacking and debris removal for a single bathroom rarely exceeds RM1,200. A RM3,000 figure for one bathroom is a warning sign.
How long the work should take
A full bathroom renovation takes 10 to 14 working days. Waterproofing alone needs two to three days of curing before tiles can be laid.
A contractor promising completion in four days is either skipping waterproofing or not allowing enough curing time. Both come back as leaks within two years.
What to do next
Waterproofing is the one item never worth saving on. It is cheap compared with repairing a leak into the room below two years later.